Author: James Shillinglaw
Royal Caribbean International is revealing details about its newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas, the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to arrive in North America in November 2020. The new vessel, which merges features from Quantum- and Oasis-class ships, will have a brand-new look to match the fleet’s most action-packed top deck to date, as well as a mix of guest hits and groundbreaking firsts. Odyssey will sail from Fort Lauderdale and reposition to her summer homeport in Rome in May 2021.
“Odyssey of the Seas will set an all-new standard created to deliver the most memorable vacations by combining immersive experiences, the best of Royal Caribbean’s trendsetting innovations and the signature ‘Royal Way’ service of our dedicated crew members,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “This Quantum Ultra Class ship introduces a new way to see the world as she becomes our first purposefully built vessel for island hopping on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Activities: Odyssey will introduce the next generation of Royal Caribbean’s signature SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea. The most interactive arcade to ever sail will dominate the upper level of SeaPlex with VR games for individual and group play, augmented reality walls and floors for high-tech competitions and family experiences.
Cruisers can feed their need for speed on the full-sized sports court with the only bumper cars at sea or soar from a flying trapeze. The space also will double as a glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena, pitting Yetis and Snow Shifters against each other as they battle for survival and control of the mythical ice city in Clash for the Crystal City.
Guests also can catch the waves on the signature FlowRider surf simulator and feel the freedom of freefall on RipCord by iFly, the skydiving simulator, or scale the 40-foot rock wall. They also can defy gravity with SkyPad, the bungee trampoline experience that transports them to another time, place or planet using a VR headset. The ship will also provide whole new perspective of some of the world’s most legendary shores from 300 feet above sea level in the North Star glass capsule with 360-degree views.
Odyssey’s two-level pool deck will offer a variety of options to sit back and soak up the sun with two open-air, resort-style pools and four whirlpools, surrounded by shady casitas and hammocks. Nearby, Lime & Coconut serves up two stories of prime pool-front views and vacation-mode drinks. Guests can enjoy grab-and-go authentic Mexican fare at El Loco Fresh, from tacos and burritos to quesadillas and an array of fresh salsas.
Younger guests can head to Splashaway Bay, an aqua park that features colorful waterslides, fountains, water cannons and more. Adults can retreat to the Solarium, an exclusive space on the top deck, a quieter area that features swimming pools and whirlpools, a full-service bar, daybeds and hidden nooks for relaxation.
Entertainment: Royal Caribbean’s 27th ship will up the ante on signature productions, featuring top talent, immersive technology and unparalleled special effects. Fusing art and technology, Two70 boasts 270-degree panoramic windows with sweeping ocean views from an expansive open area living room, which transforms into a 135-foot-wide and 22-foot-tall screen with its Vistarama technology. As day turns into night, the iconic venue at the aft of the ship becomes a multidimensional theater where a troupe of six agile Roboscreens come to life in sync with music, special effects and multitalented live performers and aerialists.
Guests looking to hit up the dance floor can head to the Music Hall for a changing set list of live performances but not before grabbing a drink at the Bionic Bar. While some of the best cover bands take center stage, music lovers can dance, sit back and sing along with friends, or take it all in from intimate lounge spaces.
Dining: Never before seen in North America is Teppanyaki, a restaurant serving authentic oriental flavors cooked in one of Japan’s traditional styles. Whether ordering top-grade steaks or succulent seafood, the Far East dishes are prepared and served at the table. Also joining the lineup is Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Royal Caribbean’s new take on its signature Italian trattoria. Guests are invited to gather for authentically rustic dishes, from hand-tossed pizzas fresh out of the oven and made to order to charcuterie. The menu caps off with a “Sunday supper” experience with a wide selection of wines and limoncellos from many of Italy’s well-known regions.
Cruisers also can expect to find Royal Caribbean favorites, including sushi and sashimi at Izumi, hand-cut steaks at Chop’s Grille, the Chef’s Table epicurean intimate experience and imaginative cuisine at Wonderland. Finally, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade boasts a prime location within SeaPlex, with TVs at every angle. Offering club-level views of the competition below and onscreen, sports enthusiasts can catch every play on the court and back at home. The bar will feature game day bar fare like buffalo wings, sliders and the signature Playmakers Burger, along with ice-cold brews.
Itineraries: Starting in November 2020, the ship will kick off in the Caribbean visiting destinations like Curaçao, Aruba, Grand Cayman and Mexico on eight- and six-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. Odyssey will then sail to her homeport of Rome in May 2021 and become the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to cruise Europe for the summer. Cruisers can explore Turkey and Greece, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the ruins of Ephesus, the ancient Acropolis of Athens, the classic Cycladic architecture of Mykonos and more.
Article Sourced from: http://www.insidertravelreport.com/?s=royal-caribbean-reveals-new-features-on-upcoming-odyssey-of-the-seas&preview=1
Author: James Shillinglaw,
Date Published: October 25, 2019